The Cactus Album (Expanded Edition) by 3rd Bass - DeepRiffs

ALBUM Explicit

Besides the upper-middle-class frat-punks-in-rap-clothing shtick of the Beastie Boys and emissary/producer Rick Rubin, who both gained a legitimate, earned respect in the rap community, there were very few white kids in rap's first decade who spoke the poetry of the street with compassion and veneration for the form. That is, until The Cactus Album. Matching MC Serch's bombastic, goofy good nature and Prime Minister Pete Nice's gritty, English-trained wordsmithery (sounding like a young Don in training), 3rd Bass' debut album is revelatory in its way. For one, it is full of great songs, alternately upbeat rollers ("Sons of 3rd Bass"), casual-but-sincere disses ("The Gas Face"), razor-sharp street didacticism ("Triple Stage Darkness," "Wordz of Wizdom"), and sweaty city anthems ("Brooklyn Queens," "Steppin' to the A.M.," odes to day and night, respectively), with A-plus production by heavyweights Prince Paul and Bomb Squad, as well as the surprising, overshadowing work of Sam Sever. The duo may not have come from the streets, but their hearts were there, and it shows. The album embodies New York life. Not every single idea plays out successfully -- Serch's Tom Waits impression on "Flippin' Off the Wall..." is on the wrong side of the taste line, and "Desert Boots" is a puzzling Western-themed insertion -- but they are at least interesting stretches that add to the dense, layered texture of the album. The Cactus Album was also important because it proved to the hip-hop heads that white kids could play along without appropriating or bastardizing the culture. It may not have completely integrated rap, but it was a precursor to a culture that became more inclusive and widespread after its arrival. ~ Stanton Swihart

1. Stymie's Theme

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Unknown; Composer
Lyricist: Unknown; Composer
Producer: Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Unknown; Other

2. Sons Of 3rd Bass

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash
Sam Citrin; Composer
Lyricist: Sam Citrin
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Producer: Sam Sever
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Other

3. Russell Rush

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Unknown; Composer
Lyricist: Unknown; Composer
Producer: Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Unknown; Other

4. The Gas Face

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Ted White
D. Dumile
Aretha Franklin
Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Paul E. Huston; Composer
Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Aretha Franklin
Paul E. Huston
Ted White
D. Dumile
Michael Berrin; Composer
Producer: Prince Paul
3rd Bass; Production
Composer Lyricist: Aretha Franklin
Ted White
Paul E. Huston
Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
D. Dumile; Other

5. Monte Hall

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash
Sam Citrin; Composer
Lyricist: Sam Citrin
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Producer: Sam Sever
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Other

6. Oval Office

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Peter J. Nash
Sam Citrin
Michael Berrin; Composer
Lyricist: Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash
Sam Citrin; Composer
Producer: Prime Minister Pete Nice
Keith Shocklee
3rd Bass
Mc Serch
Eric Sadler
James Henry Boxley Iii; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Other

7. Hoods

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Unknown; Composer
Lyricist: Unknown; Composer
Producer: Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Unknown; Other

8. Soul In The Hole

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash
Sam Citrin; Composer
Lyricist: Sam Citrin
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Producer: Sam Sever
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Other

9. Triple Stage Darkness

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash
Sam Citrin; Composer
Lyricist: Sam Citrin
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Producer: Sam Sever
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Other

10. M.C. Disagree

Performer: 3rd Bass; Performer
Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: David Victor Kealy
Mertz; Composer
Lyricist: Mertz
David Victor Kealy; Composer
Producer: Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Recording Arrangement: 3rd Bass; Production
Composer Lyricist: Mertz
David Victor Kealy; Other

11. Wordz Of Wizdom

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash
Sam Citrin; Composer
Lyricist: Sam Citrin
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Producer: Prime Minister Pete Nice
Sam Sever
Mc Serch; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Other

12. Product Of The Environment

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash
Sam Citrin; Composer
Lyricist: Sam Citrin
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Producer: Mc Serch
Sam Sever
3rd Bass; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Other

13. Desert Boots

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Unknown; Composer
Lyricist: Unknown; Composer
Producer: Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Unknown; Other

14. The Cactus

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash
Sam Citrin; Composer
Lyricist: Sam Citrin
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Producer: Mr. Puffy Mcscruffy
Sam Sever
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Other

15. Jim Backus

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Unknown; Composer
Lyricist: Unknown; Composer
Producer: Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Unknown; Other

16. Flippin' Off The Wall Like Lucy Ball

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Peter J. Nash
Sam Citrin
Michael Berrin; Composer
Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Composer
Producer: Sam Sever
Mc Serch
3rd Bass
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Other

17. Brooklyn-Queens

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Paul Prince
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Lyricist: Paul Prince
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Producer: Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Paul Prince
Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin; Other

18. Steppin' To The A.M.

Composer: Peter J. Nash
James Henry Boxley Iii
Keith Shocklee
Michael Berrin
Gary Wright
Eric Sadler; Composer
Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Lyricist: Gary Wright
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Engineer: Nick Sansano; Production
Producer: Keith Shocklee
3rd Bass
Hank Shocklee
Mc Serch
Prime Minister Pete Nice
Eric Sadler; Production
Studio Personnel: Nick Sansano; Production
Composer Lyricist: Gary Wright
Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin; Other

19. Episode #3

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Not Applicable
Various Artists; Composer
Lyricist: Not Applicable; Composer
Producer: Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Not Applicable; Other

20. Who's On Third

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash
Sam Citrin; Composer
Lyricist: Sam Citrin
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Producer: Sam Sever
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Other

21. Wordz Of Wizdom II

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash
Sam Citrin; Composer
Lyricist: Sam Citrin
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Producer: Sam Sever
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Other

22. The Cactus

Composer: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Composer
Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Lyricist: Sam Citrin
Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin; Composer
Producer: Prime Minister Pete Nice
Mr. Puffy Mcscruffy
Sam Sever; Production
Remixing: Cj Mackintosh
Dave Dorrell
C.j. Mackintosh; Production
Studio Personnel: Dave Dorrell
Cj Mackintosh; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Other

23. The Cactus

Composer: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Composer
Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Lyricist: Sam Citrin
Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin; Composer
Producer: Prime Minister Pete Nice
Mr. Puffy Mcscruffy
Sam Sever; Production
Remixing: Cj Mackintosh
Dave Dorrell
C.j. Mackintosh; Production
Studio Personnel: Dave Dorrell
Cj Mackintosh; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Other

24. Steppin' To The A.M.

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Peter J. Nash
James Henry Boxley Iii
Keith Shocklee
Michael Berrin
Gary Wright
Eric Sadler; Composer
Lyricist: Gary Wright
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Engineer: Nick Sansano; Production
Producer: Keith Shocklee
3rd Bass
Hank Shocklee
Mc Serch
Prime Minister Pete Nice
Eric Sadler; Production
Remixing: Soiree; Production
Studio Personnel: Soiree
Nick Sansano; Production
Composer Lyricist: Gary Wright
Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin; Other

25. Steppin' To The A.M.

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Peter J. Nash
James Henry Boxley Iii
Keith Shocklee
Michael Berrin
Gary Wright
Eric Sadler; Composer
Lyricist: Gary Wright
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Engineer: Nick Sansano; Production
Producer: Keith Shocklee
3rd Bass
Hank Shocklee
Mc Serch
Prime Minister Pete Nice
Eric Sadler; Production
Remixing: Soiree; Production
Studio Personnel: Soiree
Nick Sansano; Production
Composer Lyricist: Gary Wright
Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin; Other

26. Wordz Of Wizdom

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash
Sam Citrin; Composer
Lyricist: Sam Citrin
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Producer: Sam Sever
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Other

27. Wordz Of Wizdom

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash
Sam Citrin; Composer
Lyricist: Sam Citrin
Michael Berrin
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Producer: Sam Sever
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Sam Citrin; Other

28. Brooklyn / Queens

Composer: Michael Berrin
Paul Prince
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Paul Prince; Composer
Producer: Prince Paul
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Remixing: Christopher John Mackintosh
David Dorrell; Production
Studio Personnel: David Dorrell
Christopher John Mackintosh; Production
Composer Lyricist: Paul Prince
Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin; Other

29. Brooklyn-Queens

Composer: Michael Berrin
Paul Prince
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Paul Prince; Composer
Producer: Prince Paul
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Remixing: Cj Mackintosh
Dave Dorrell
C.j. Mackintosh; Production
Studio Personnel: Dave Dorrell
Cj Mackintosh; Production
Composer Lyricist: Paul Prince
Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin; Other

30. Brooklyn-Queens

Composer: Michael Berrin
Paul Prince
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Paul Prince; Composer
Producer: Prince Paul
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Remixing: Cj Mackintosh
Dave Dorrell
C.j. Mackintosh; Production
Studio Personnel: Dave Dorrell
Cj Mackintosh; Production
Composer Lyricist: Paul Prince
Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin; Other

31. Brooklyn-Queens

Composer: Michael Berrin
Paul Prince
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Paul Prince; Composer
Producer: Prince Paul
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Remixing: Cj Mackintosh
Dave Dorrell
C.j. Mackintosh; Production
Studio Personnel: Dave Dorrell
Cj Mackintosh; Production
Composer Lyricist: Paul Prince
Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin; Other

32. Brooklyn-Queens

Composer: Michael Berrin
Paul Prince
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Lyricist: Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
Paul Prince; Composer
Producer: Prince Paul
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Remixing: Cj Mackintosh
Dave Dorrell
C.j. Mackintosh; Production
Studio Personnel: Dave Dorrell
Cj Mackintosh; Production
Composer Lyricist: Paul Prince
Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin; Other

33. The Gas Face

Primary Artist: 3rd Bass; Main Performer
Composer: Michael Berrin
Aretha Franklin
Peter J. Nash
Paul E. Huston
Ted White
D. Dumile; Composer
Lyricist: Michael Berrin
Aretha Franklin
Paul E. Huston
Ted White
D. Dumile
Peter J. Nash; Composer
Producer: Paul Prince
Mc Serch
3rd Bass
Prime Minister Pete Nice; Production
Composer Lyricist: Aretha Franklin
Ted White
Paul E. Huston
Peter J. Nash
Michael Berrin
D. Dumile; Other

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

33 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

2 hours, 4 minutes and 53 seconds

Explicit

Containing curse words, language, or art that is sexually, violently, or offensively oriented.

Coverart

Available and up to 3000x3000 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

26/33 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

7/33 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Rap, Hip Hop, East Coast Rap, Alternative Rap, Caribbean

Label

Def Jam Recordings

Music Distribution Service

UMG Global

Country

United States

United Kingdom

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Oct 22, 1989

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

602508382864